Transport safety for containers, notably interchangeable containers

ABSTRACT

A locking device for the transport of containers, in particular, lift-on lift-off containers which, by means of a lifting device, for example, a lift-on lift-off mechanism, can beloaded onto the back of a transport vehicle comprises adjusting elements arranged on the underside of the contain at the level of the container&#39;s loading surface, as well as arresting elements arranged on the loading surface. For each arresting element, an adjusting element associated with it is maintained in the in-transit position of the container. Adjusting elements and arresting elements are configured as reciprocally intermeshable form-fitting elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a locking device for the transport ofcontainers, in particular, lift-on lift-off containers which, by meansof a lifting device, for example, a lift-on lift-off mechanism, can beloaded onto the back of a transport vehicle.

2. The Prior Art

Appropriate bolting down devices for securing lift-on lift-offcontainers from sliding and tipping during transport on vehicles areknown in the art. The bolting down devices encompass, for example,horizontal pins arrayed on the underside of the container which slideinto eyes arranged on the vehicle as soon as the container has assumedits intended final position, the in-transit position, on the vehicle.Actuable bolting down elements are also known in the art which consistsof pivotable, hook-like flaps aligned in a longitudinal direction of thevehicle about horizontal axes which can overlap the flanges ofreinforcement sections, ground guides or similar projections located onthe underside of the container thereby securing the container againstits lifting up from the loading surface.

Combinations of the device described hereinbefore are also possible inproviding a locking device for the transport of a lift-on lift-offcontainer.

Existing systems for securing lift-on lift-off containers during transithave the disadvantage that they are specially adapted for use inconnection a lift-on lift-off mechanism already known in the art. Inpractical operation it may of course turn out that lift-on lift-offcontainers are not loaded onto or off of transport vehicles by means ofa lift-on lift-off mechanism but, rather, by means of another liftingdevice, for example, an ordinary crane. One could imagine this is thecase with railroad cars, truck trailers, watercraft and the like inwhich instances so-called loading cranes are especially used with whichvehicles are frequently equipped in order to facilitate the on- andoff-loading of parcel freight.

The locking devices for the transport of containers known in the artactually prevent movement of the containers in a direction perpendicularto the loading surface on which the containers are intended to bepositioned or loaded, with the result that a lift-on lift-off containerwhich has been on-loaded with a lift-on lift-off mechanism, for example,cannot be off-loaded by means of another lifting device, a crane.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The task of the invention is to devise a locking device for thetransport of containers in such a way that it can perform its functionboth during transloading of the containers using the lift-on lift-offmechanisms known in the art as well as with other lifting devices like,for example, an ordinary crane.

This task is resolved by the invention in that adjusting elements arearranged on the underside of the container in the level of its loadingsurface, in that arresting elements are arranged on the loading surface,and in that on each arresting element an adjusting element associatedwith it is maintained in the in-transit position of the container.

The adjusting elements determine the position to be assumed by thecontainer on the loading surface of a vehicle. Adjusting elements andarresting elements may, therefore, be structurally configured as simplestops which come to lie one on top of the other as soon as the containerhas assumed its final in-transit position on the loading surface. Itdoes not matter whether the container has reached this position throughthe action of a lift-on lift-off mechanism or through the action ofanother lifting device, for example, an ordinary crane. The appropriateconfiguration of the adjusting element and the arresting element ensuresthat each adjusting element on the arresting element is maintained inthe intended in-transit position of the container, whereby the desiredsecuring of the container during transit has been assured.

This can, for example, be achieved by configuring the adjusting elementand arresting element as reciprocally intermeshable form-fittingelements. These form-fitting elements are aligned in such a way that anadjusting element on the container can be inserted or removed from aboveunobstructed into its respective arresting element on the loadingsurface of the vehicle as soon as the container has been lowered onto orlifted from the loading surface. Again, it is of no consequence whethersaid lowering or lifting has been effected by a crane or a lift-onlift-off mechanism. Because the adjusting element and arresting elementconcurrently function as the stops which determine the in-transitposition of the container, a container loaded onto the loading surfaceof a vehicle is protected against braking and acceleration forces whichare operable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle duringtransit. Because of their configuration as form-fitting elements,protection against forces acting transversely along the longitudinalaxis of the vehicle or on the longitudinal axis of the container issimultaneously provided. This is made possible by the fact that eacharresting element exhibits at least one undercut and that the adjustingelement has at least one projection which engages the undercut, wherebythe form-fitting connection is assured the moment the container is onthe loading surface. In this configuration, the form-fitting connectioncan be swallow-tail shaped or also wedge-shaped.

Each arresting element consists preferably of adjoining cams where eachadjusting element is a projecting part which can be disposed between thecams. The adjusting element consequently meshes in between tworespective cams of an arresting element as soon as the container is onthe loading surface, with the resultant advantage that protection of thecontainer against longitudinal and transverse forces during transit hasbeen provided.

To ensure that the sliding movement of the container on the loadingsurface required for on- and off-loading with a lift-on lift-offmechanism is not obstructed by the side-by-side cams of the arrestingelement, provision has been made, in a further development, that a firstcam of the arresting element, respectively facing the front end ofvehicle loading surface, is flatter than respective adjoining second camof the same arresting element working in conjunction with it. This makesit possible to move a container on the loading surface by means of alift-on lift-off mechanism. The adjusting element can be made to slideunobstructed over the flat first cam during sliding movements of thecontainer because the lift-on lift-off mechanism is usually able to movethe container in a slightly elevated position as well. As soon as theadjusting element strikes the second, higher cam of the same arrestingelement, the final position of the container on the loading surface hasbeen reached and the container can be lowered, with the result that theadjusting element is now lies secured between both cams.

Each adjusting element is preferably a flap laterally mounted on aprojecting ground guide in parallel alignment with the bottom of thecontainer. The unengaged end of this flap can be swallow-tail-shaped orwedge-shaped in order to effect the aforementioned form-fittingconnection with the correspondingly configured cams.

Each cam is preferably a block mounted to the loading surface. Suchblocks can also be arrayed directly on the tilting platform of a lift-onlift-off mechanism with which, for example, a vehicle has been equipped.

Preferably, four adjusting elements and arresting elements each havebeen provided for every container positioned on a loading surface.

It is, however, also possible to provide each container with twosecuring adjusting elements and arresting elements in the area of one ofits front ends, whereby the other front end, respectively, can besecured by an actuable bolting down device already known in the art. Ofcourse, the bolting down device will have to be released as soon as thecontainer is lifted off the loading surface or is again set downthereon. This can be accomplished, for example, through hydraulic,pneumatic and even mechanical actuation. Each bolting down device can,for example, comprise a clamping jaw which can be inserted into acorresponding receptacle on the container, where the clamping jaw canmove, swiveling about corresponding axes and the movement is eitherhydraulically, pneumatically, or mechanically generated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplified embodiments of the invention, from which additionalinventive characteristics will be apparent, are shown in the drawings.Shown are, in:

FIG. 1 the schematic lateral view of a vehicle with a lift-on lift-offcontainer loaded thereon;

FIG. 2 a first exemplified embodiment of a locking device for thetransport of containers;

FIG. 3 a part of the locking device for the transport of containersaccording to FIG. 2, in the in-transit position;

FIG. 4 a second exemplified embodiment of the locking device for thetransport of containers;

FIG. 5 a third embodiment;

FIG. 6 a schematic top view of the loading surface of a vehicle with acontainer loaded thereon, of which only the component parts associatedwith the locking device are represented;

FIG. 7 a detailed view of a locking device for the transport ofcontainers in a top view according to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 an additional embodiment of a locking device for the transport ofcontainers in a view according to FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 another embodiment of a locking device for the transport ofcontainers in a view according to FIG. 7, and

FIG. 10 a view of a vehicle with a container loaded onto the loadingsurface according to FIG. 6, seen from the left front end of thevehicle.

FIG. 11 shows movement of a container onto the back of a transportvehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a truck in a lateral view whose chassis 1 is outfitted witha lift-on lift-off mechanism whose titling platform, which pivots bymeans of a working cylinder 2 about a rear point of rotation 3,functions as a loading surface 4 onto which a lift-on lift-off container5 known in the art has been loaded. The lift-on lift-off mechanism is aso-called hook device which, with its hook 6, can engage a metal fitting7 on the container. The hook 6 can move in the direction of the arrow 8relative to the tilting platform of the lift-on lift-off container inthe longitudinal direction of the vehicle chassis 1. There is anarresting element 9 on the tilting platform of the lift-on lift-offcontainer functioning as a loading surface 4. The lift-on lift-offcontainer 5 has reinforcing ground guides 10 on its underside. By meansof its ground guides the lift-on lift-off container slides on thetilting platform of the lift-on lift-off container functioning as aloading surface 4.

Adjusting elements 11 are located on the underside of the lift-onlift-off container, preferably on its ground guides 10.

A bolting down device 12 already known in the art is arranged in therear section on the tilting platform functioning as a loading surface 4,which bolting down device can be configured as a shiftable clamp whichgrips in behind a flange of the ground guide 10.

During on-loading of the lift-on lift-off container 5, the lift-onlift-off container is moved by means of the hook 6 to the left on thetilting platform functioning as a loading surface 4 until the adjustingelement 11, which is arranged on the lift-on lift-off container, strikesagainst the arresting element 9 which is mounted to the tilting platformor the loading surface 4. The lift-on lift-off container has thusassumed it in-transit position. At the same time, it is secured by thereciprocal striking of arresting element and adjusting element againstslippage in the direction of the double arrow 13. To provide additionalprotection, the bolting down device 12 already known in the art is movedinto the locked position.

The container can, after the bolting down device has been released, alsobe set down by means of the lift-on lift-off mechanism shown here.Nevertheless, because of the special type of construction of the lockingdevice for the transport of containers, it is also possible to lift upperpendicularly in the direction of the arrow 14 or set down thecontainer, shown here in its in-transit position, from the vehicle bymeans of another lifting device, for example, an ordinary crane.

FIG. 2 shows a partial lateral view of a ground guide 10 of a lift-onlift-off container otherwise not depicted in the drawing. Reference No.4 designates a loading surface which can also be formed by a section. Anarresting element 9 has been arranged on this section which forms theloading surface 4 in such a way that the element projects against theunderside of the container not shown here and where the underside isindicated by the upper flange 15 of the ground guide 10, which flange inthe drawing is shown by a simple line.

The adjusting element 11 is arranged on ground guide 10 and projects outfrom the drawing plane such that when the ground guide 10 or the entirelift-on lift-off container move in the direction of the double arrow 13,the adjusting element 11 and arresting element 9 are made to slidetoward each other or to move away from each other.

Reference No. 12 schematically reproduces a bolting down device which ishere configured as a clamping jaw attached pivotally about a hinged axis16 on the loading surface, which clamping jaw can engage or release alower flange 18 of the ground guide 10 whenever a pivoting movement inthe direction of the circular arrow 19 occurs with the assistance ofappropriate actuating elements otherwise not shown here.

FIG. 3 shows a view according to FIG. 2, wherein the arresting element 9and adjusting element 11, by moving the container relative to theloading surface 4 to the left, have moved so far that a stop has almostbeen reached, that is, the container has nearly assumed its in-transitposition.

FIG. 4 shows a second practical embodiment of a locking device for thetransport of containers in which the arresting element consists ofadjacent cams 20 and 21 between which the adjusting element 11 can beinserted, effecting a form-fitting connection, by lowering the containeronto the loading surface 4 from above.

FIG. 5 shows a third practical embodiment in which the arresting element9 exhibits an undercut 22 and the adjusting element 11 has a projection23 which engages the undercut 22. The arresting element and adjustingelement are shown in a position corresponding to the in-transit positionassumed by the container. By virtue of the undercut and projection, aform-fitting connection between the arresting element 9 and adjustingelement 11 is assured, which connection also protects an in-transitcontainer against tilting forces.

It is also possible to configure a container, as shown in FIG. 3, withan in-transit locking device in its lower, front section, in whichconfiguration the bolting down device 12 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 canbe replaced by an in-transit locking device as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a loading surface 4 of a vehicle with acontainer loaded thereon, which container is indicated here by itsground guides 10 and metal fitting 7. Roller elements, located on thecontainer in the area of the rear front end and with which lift-onlift-off containers known in the art are equipped, are identified byReference No. 24.

This embodiment provides for a container in-transit locking device ofthe kind shown in FIG. 4. Four arresting elements, which consist ofadjacent cams 20 and 21, respectively, are positioned on the loadingsurface. The ground guides 10, which are configured as paralleldouble-T-section extending toward each other, display four adjustingelements 11. Each adjusting element 11 is a projecting flap laterallyattached to a ground guide 10.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of an in-transit container locking deviceas per FIG. 6 in the top view, where the ground guide 10 is againidentified by Reference No. 10. The upper flange of the ground guide 10is visible in FIG. 7. The web of the ground guide is indicated by thedash-dotted line. Both the cams 20 and 21 of the arresting element areelementary blocks. It is clear from the drawing how the adjustingelement 11 configured as a flap 25 solidly engages between both cams 20and 21.

FIG. 8 shows another practical embodiment in the top view, per FIG. 7.

Cams 20' and 21' as well as the flap 25' have, here, been provided withundercuts, enabling a form-fitting connection in the in-transitposition. In this embodiment, the flap exhibits an approximatelyswallow-tail shape. FIG. 9 shows an additional embodiment of thereciprocally solid connection of the cams 21" and 20" to the flap 25".

Two adjoining cams, in between which a flap meshes, secure the containerin an optimum fashion against braking and accelerating forces as well asagainst transverse forces during curves.

During movement of the container on the loading surface to effecton-loading or off-loading by means of a lift-on lift-off mechanism, theinitially protruding cams of the arresting elements can pose anobstruction in the path of movement of the container to be moved intoits in-transit position. In order to prevent the cam surfaces facing thedirection of the sliding movement from obstructing further movement,provision has been made for the first cam 21 of each arresting element 9facing the front end of a vehicle loading surface 4 to be flatter thanthe respective adjacent second cam 20 of same arresting element workingin conjunction with it. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the front end of a loadingsurface is indicated by the arrow 26. In FIG. 4, the dashed line 27 onthe left cam 21 indicates that the cam 21 can be approximately half ashigh.

FIG. 10 shows a view pursuant to FIG. 6 in the direction of the arrow26, as seen from the left. Identical part components are designated byidentical reference numbers. From FIG. 10 it can be seen how the flap 25has been mounted on the ground guides 10 and how the cams 21 and 20 arefixed on the loading surface 4. The container 5 has assumed itsin-transit position and is secured against further movement by the flap25, which meshes between both cams. In this embodiment of the in-transitcontainer device, the container 5 can still be lifted perpendicularly upfrom the loading surface 4, for example, by means of a lifting device.The transloading of the container 5 using a lift-on lift-off mechanismis, of course, possible and is accomplished by initially lifting thecontainer 5 up so far by means of the lift-on lift-off mechanism so thatthe flap 25 is raised above the somewhat flatter cam 21, which action,at the same time, results in the lift-on lift-off container's movingalong the loading surface 4.

I claim:
 1. A locking device for a lift-on lift-off container which hasan underside and which is loadable onto the back of a transport vehiclehaving a loading surface providing an in transit position of thecontainer, with a front end comprising:an adjusting element having alength and arranged on the underside of the container at the level ofsaid vehicle loading surface; an arresting element arranged on saidvehicle loading surface and associated with said adjusting element; andsaid arresting element positioned adjacent to its associated adjustingelement so that the container is maintained in the in transit positionof the container; each arresting element comprising two adjoining cams;the distance between the two adjoining cams being substantially equal tothe length of said adjusting element; each adjusting element has aprojecting part which can be disposed between the cams; and a first camof the arresting element, respectively, facing said front end of saidvehicle loading surface, is flatter than a respective adjoining secondcam of the same arresting element; whereby said container is protectedagainst longitudinal and transverse forces during the transit thereof,but the on-loading and off-loading vertical movement is not obstructedduring the transit thereof.
 2. The locking device for a containeraccording to claim 1, wherein said adjusting element and said arrestingelement are configured as reciprocally intermeshable form-fittingelements.
 3. The locking device for a container according to claim 2,wherein said arresting element has at least one undercut and whereinsaid adjusting element has at least one projection which engages saidundercut.
 4. The locking device for a container according to claim 2,wherein said form-fitting elements comprise a swallow-tail shapedform-fitting connection.
 5. The locking device for a container accordingto claim 2, wherein said form-fitting elements comprise a wedge-shapedform-fitting connection.
 6. The locking device for a container accordingto claim 1, further comprising a ground guide on said containerunderside; andwherein each adjusting element has a projecting flaplaterally mounted on said ground guide in parallel alignment with saidunderside of the container.
 7. The locking device for a containeraccording to claim 1, wherein each cam comprises a block mounted on saidloading surface.
 8. The locking device for a container according toclaim 1, wherein four adjusting elements and four arresting elementseach have been provided for every container.
 9. The locking device for acontainer according to claim 1, wherein each container has been providedwith two securing adjusting elements and two arresting elements in thearea of the front end and that the front end can also be secured by anactuable bolting down device.
 10. The locking device for a containeraccording to claim 9, wherein each bolting down device comprises aclamping jaw.